Nature and Grace Controversies in Modern Catholic Theology

This course examines influential classical principles of Catholic theology in regard to the relation of grace and nature, and the way these principles were interpreted in the 20th century debates regarding nature and grace in modern Catholic theology. The class begins with a consideration of Augustine, Pelagius and Prosper of Aquitaine, and considers some of the ancient and early medieval conciliar receptions of Augustine’s teaching. There is then a thorough consideration of the doctrine of St. Thomas Aquinas as a prelude to the treatment of various contrasting modern authors: Scheeben, Garrigou-Lagrange, De Lubac, Rahner, Von Balthasar. The course concludes with a brief consideration of the reception of the teaching of the Second Vatican Council (Gaudium et Spes on nature and grace) and the revival of the Thomistic tradition in the contemporary period.